Digital broadcast receiving device and digital broadcast receiving program

Abstract

PROBLEM Application of an appropriate parameter for each audio signal while broadcasting. SOLUTION A digital broadcast receiving device includes a receiving part capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal of multiplexed meta information and an audio signal, and an application part capable of applying an acoustic adjustment parameter to the received audio signal. In a program broadcast by a digital broadcast signal, there is a first period during which a song is played and a second period during which a song is not played. The application part determines whether the program is for a first period or a second period based on the meta information, applies the first parameter to the audio signal during the first period, and does not apply the first parameter to the audio signal during the second period.

Description

[FIELD OF THE INVENTION]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a digital broadcast receiving device and a digital broadcast receiving program.[BACKGROUND ART]

[0002] Digital broadcast receiving devices capable of receiving digital broadcast signals are well known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a specific configuration of a digital broadcast receiving device. The digital broadcast receiving device described in Patent Document 1 identifies the type of program from program genre information contained in the received digital broadcast signal, and sets the sound quality according to the result. For example, in the case of a music program that plays pop music, the digital broadcast receiving device controls the sound quality of the program using a parameter suitable for pop music.[PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS] [PATENT DOCUMENTS]

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application 2006-101391[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION] [PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION]

[0004] In the digital broadcast receiving device described in Patent Document 1, the same parameter is uniformly applied throughout the broadcast of a music program. However, some music programs, for example, play a variety of music genres and include talk between songs. Therefore, depending on the broadcast content, the parameters may not match, making it difficult for the user to hear.

[0005] In light of that described above, an object of the embodiments of the Present Disclosure is to provide a digital broadcast receiving device and a digital broadcast receiving program capable of applying an appropriate parameter to each audio signal currently being broadcast.[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM]

[0006] A digital broadcasting receiving device according to one embodiment of the Present Disclosure includes a receiving part capable of receiving a digital broadcasting signal of multiplexed meta information and an audio signal, and an application part capable of applying an acoustic adjustment parameter to the received audio signal. In a program broadcast by a digital broadcast signal, there is a first period during which a song is played and a second period during which a song is not played. The application part determines whether the program is for a first period or a second period based on the meta information, applies the first parameter to the audio signal during the first period, and does not apply the first parameter to the audio signal during the second period.EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure, a digital broadcast receiving device and a digital broadcast receiving program are provided that are capable of applying an appropriate parameter to each audio signal currently being broadcast.[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a process executed by a microprocessor unit (MPU) of the broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. FIG. 3 is a time sequence diagram depicting an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. [EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION]

[0009] The following description relates to a digital broadcast receiving device and a digital broadcast receiving program according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. Common or corresponding elements are marked with the same or similar reference codes, and duplicate descriptions are simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0010] In one embodiment of the Present Disclosure, a broadcast receiving device and a broadcast receiving method capable of receiving a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) ensemble will be described as an example.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcast receiving device 1 according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. The broadcast receiving device 1 is an example of a digital broadcast receiving device. As depicted in FIG. 1, the broadcast receiving device 1 includes an MPU 100, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 110, a DAB signal processing circuit 120, an audio amplifier 130, storage 140, and a display 150. FIG. 1 depicts a main structural element necessary for explaining the Present Embodiment. In FIG. 1, structural element(s), such as a case and the like, that are essential structural elements of the broadcast receiving device 1, are omitted as appropriate.

[0012] The broadcast receiving device 1 is, for example, an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle traveling on a road. The broadcast receiving apparatus 1 may be an independent apparatus or may be an apparatus forming a part of a navigation apparatus or In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI). The broadcast receiving device 1 is not limited to an in-vehicle device. The broadcast receiving device 1 may be another type of device, such as a smartphone, a feature phone, a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a PND (Portable Navigation Device), a portable game console, an AV (Audio Visual) unit, or the like.

[0013] The MPU 100 is, for example, a single processor or a multi-processor, and includes at least one processor. When a configuration including a plurality of processors is used, the MPU 100 may be packaged as a single device, or may be configured as a plurality of devices that are physically separated within the broadcast receiving device 1. The MPU 100 may be called, for example, a control unit, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processor unit (MPU), or a micro controller unit (MCU).

[0014] The MPU 100 includes a built-in DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that processes audio signals, for example. In other words, the processing of the audio signal is performed using a DSP. The MPU 100 is an example of an application part capable of applying the acoustic parameter 144 (described below) to an audio signal.

[0015] The processing of the audio signal may be executed on software assembled into the MPU 100 without using a DSP. The DSP may not be built into the MPU 100 but may be provided separately from the MPU 100.

[0016] The MPU 100 includes RAM (Random Access Memory), flash ROM (Read-Only Memory), and the like, and controls the entire broadcast receiving device 1. For example, the MPU 100 loads various programs, including a broadcast receiving program 142 stored in the storage 140, onto RAM, which is a work area, and controls the broadcast receiving device 1 in accordance with the loaded programs. In other words, the broadcast receiving device 1 equipped with the MPU 100 is an example of a computer that executes the broadcast receiving program 142.

[0017] The HMI 110 may presumably be any of various user interfaces of hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the HMI 110 may be a mechanical switch key mounted on the front panel of the main body of the broadcast receiving device 1, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) provided in a touch panel environment, a remote controller, or the like. By operating the HMI 110, the user can, for example, specify a receiving station or instruct the broadcast receiving device 1 to create or update a station list.

[0018] For example, when the user performs a channel selection operation on the HMI 110, information on a selected channel designated by the channel selection operation is stored in the flash ROM in the MPU 100. For example, immediately after the broadcast receiving device 1 is powered on or when a user selects a station, the MPU 100 controls the station selection operation of the DAB signal processing circuit 120 in accordance with the selected station information stored in the flash ROM.

[0019] The DAB signal processing circuit 120 is a tuner circuit that performs ensemble reception processing. The DAB signal processing circuit 120 is an example of a receiving part capable of receiving an ensemble (an example of a digital broadcast signal in which meta information and an audio signal are multiplexed). The DAB signal processing circuit 120 includes an antenna 122, an RF part 124, a demodulation part 126, and a signal detection part 128.

[0020] The antenna 122 receives broadcast radio waves from each broadcast station and outputs the received signal. The RF part 124 extracts the ensemble of the selected station from the received signal input from the antenna 122, and outputs the signal to the demodulation part 126.

[0021] The ensemble is generally composed of a synchronization channel used for frame synchronization during demodulation, a Fast Information Channel (FIC) containing service configuration information, and a Main Service Channel (MSC) containing audio services and data services.

[0022] The FIC is composed of FIBs (Fast Information Blocks) and includes identifiers such as SIDs (Service Identifiers), EIDs (Ensemble Identifiers), and SCIdS (Service Component Identifiers within the Service) as well as label data associated with the identifiers (in other words, a service label indicating the radio broadcast service name (radio broadcast program name)). The FIB includes a Fast Information Group (FIG) and a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC). The FIG is classified into eight types of Type 0 to Type 7 according to the use. For example, the FIG includes hard link service information, FI (Frequency Information), OE service (Other Ensemble Services) information, and SL (Service Link) information.

[0023] The demodulation part 126 demodulates the ensemble input from the RF section 124, and selects and demodulates a service (in other words, a program) from the demodulated ensemble. This provides the audio signal and meta information of the services multiplexed into the ensemble. The meta information includes text information such as a service label, as well as a DL (Dynamic Label) message, which will be described below.

[0024] The signal detector part 128 detects, for example, the multiplexed data obtained by demodulating the ensemble in the demodulation part 126, and also detects the received signal quality of the ensemble based on an error rate. The signal detection unit 128 may detect the quality of the received signals of the ensemble based on, for example, the field strength of the received radio waves or the signal-to-noise ratio of the received radio waves.

[0025] The audio signal obtained by the demodulation process by the demodulation part 126 undergoes gain adjustment according to the volume by the audio amplifier 130, and is output through a line-out terminal. For example, a plurality of line-out terminals may be provided. The line-out terminals are connected to the front, center, front and rear speakers in the vehicle. The program (music, talk, and the like) is played through the car speaker connected to the line-out terminal. The speaker may be provided in the broadcast receiving device 1.

[0026] The number of DAB signal processing circuits 120 is not limited to one. The broadcast receiving device 1 may include two or more DAB signal processing circuits 120. When there are two or more DAB signal processing circuits 120, the broadcast receiving device 1 can receive ensembles based on a diversity method, for example. Furthermore, the broadcast receiving device 1 can, for example, receive an ensemble and execute the station list at the same time.

[0027] The display data obtained by the demodulation process performed by the demodulation part 126 is output to the display 150. This causes, for example, the service label of the service being played back to be displayed on the display 150. The display 150 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic Electro Luminescence (EL) display.

[0028] The storage 140 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), or an Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), or a Solid-State Drive (SSD). The storage 140 stores a broadcast receiving program 142 as well as various other programs and data. For example, the storage 140 stores a plurality of acoustic parameters 144.

[0029] The acoustic parameter 144 is an example of a parameter for acoustic adjustment. The acoustic parameter 144 is, for example, equalizer settings and settings for various effects such as reverb, chorus, and delay. Each of the plurality of acoustic parameters 144 has a value suitable for the type (for example, genre) of the corresponding song. For example, a certain acoustic parameter 144 is set to a value suitable for pop music (in other words, a value corresponding to pop music). Another acoustic parameter 144 is set to a value suitable for jazz (in other words, a value corresponding to jazz).

[0030] The acoustic parameter 144 is stored in advance in the storage 140 when the broadcast receiving device 1 is manufactured, for example. The values of the acoustic parameter 144 may be adjusted by a user operation. The user may operate the HMI 10 to create the acoustic parameter 144. The broadcast receiving device 1 may, for example, periodically communicate with the cloud via a communication interface (not depicted) to update or add an acoustic parameter 144.

[0031] The acoustic parameter 144 is not limited to values suitable for the genre of the song. The acoustic parameter 144 may be set to values appropriate for other categories. For example, the acoustic parameter 144 may be set to values suitable for reproducing the sound quality, reverberation, surround sound, and the like of movies, dramas, animation, sports, news, talks, indoor live venues, outdoor live venues, opera houses, and the like.

[0032] In the ensemble, DL messages and DL Plus are broadcast repeatedly. The DL message is a 128-byte character string. DL Plus includes a DL Plus tag.

[0033] The demodulation part 126 applies a DL Plus tag to the DL message to generate a DL Plus object. Below is an example of a DL message and a DL plus tag. In this example, DL Plus includes two DL Plus tags (DL Plus Tag 1, DL Plus Tag 2).«DL Message»

[0034] You are listening to "A BBBB CCCCCC DDDD" by "XXX YYYYYYYYY" «DL Plus Tag 1» Content Type: Title Start marker: 22 Length marker: 17 «DL Plus Tag 2» Content Type: Artist Start marker: 45 Length marker: 12

[0035] The start marker and length marker of the DL plus tag indicate the start point and the length of the character string, respectively. The demodulation part 126 extracts a 17-character string from the DL message, beginning at the position (the 22nd character) specified by the Start marker in the DL plus tag 1. Specifically, demodulation part 126 extracts A BBBB CCCCCC DDDD. Similarly, the demodulation part 126 extracts a 12-character string from the DL message, beginning at the position (45th character) specified by the start marker in the DL plus tag 2. Specifically, the demodulation part 126 extracts XXX YYYYYYYYY. For convenience, A BBBB CCCCCC DDDD will be referred to as extracted text 1. XXX YYYYYYYY is will be referred to as extracted text 2.

[0036] The content type of the DL Plus tag is defined in Annex A (List of DL Plus content types) of the DL Plus broadcasting standard "ETSI TS 102 980 V2.1.2 (2019-02)". As shown in Annex A, the content type of the DL Plus tag corresponds to the CONTENTTYPE of a MP3 ID3v2 tag.

[0037] The demodulation part 126 generates a DL-plus object 1 by applying the DL-plus tag 1 to the DL message. The DL Plus object 1 defines the extracted text 1 as attribute information of the title. The demodulation part 126 generates a DL-plus object 2 by applying the DL-plus tag 2 to the DL message. The DL Plus object 2 defines the extracted text 2 as the attribute information of the artist.

[0038] Various information is displayed on the display 150 using the DL Plus object. For example, extracted text 1 is displayed on the display 150 as the title of a song played in the program. The extracted text 2 is displayed on the display 150 as the name of the artist who sings this song.

[0039] In Annex A, content type includes ITEM.GENRE. ITEM.GENRE indicates the genre of the song identified in the DL message and by DL Plus. The demodulation part 126 can generate a DL plus object in the same manner as in the above example. This DL Plus object defines the genre name included in the DL message as attribute information of the music genre.

[0040] The DL message and DL plus are examples of meta information that includes song type information (for example, genre). The genre of songs identified in DL Messages and DL Plus will change in real time to match the songs being played on the program. In the Present Embodiment, the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal is switched as needed to acoustic parameter 144 suitable for the genre of the song being broadcast, based on the genre of the song identified in the DL message and by DL Plus.

[0041] For example, while a pop song is playing, the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for pop is applied to the audio signal. The audio signal is adjusted to a quality suitable for pop music and is reproduced through a speaker. If jazz music is played next, the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal is switched to the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for jazz. The audio signal is adjusted to a quality suitable for jazz and is reproduced through a speaker. In this manner, even if the genre of music played within a program changes, music of each genre is played with sound quality adjusted by the appropriate acoustic parameter 144. The user can listen to the music with the sound quality adjusted appropriately.

[0042] Depending on the program, news or talk may be broadcast between songs. When the acoustic parameter 144 appropriate for the genre of music is continuously applied to the audio signal while the news or talk is being played, the frequency band of human voice is cut and the frequency bands other than human voice are boosted depending on the setting value of the acoustic parameter 144. As a result, it may become difficult for the user to hear the program.

[0043] Therefore, in the Present Embodiment, application of the acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal is suspended while something other than music, such as news or talk, is being played. This prevents the frequency band of the human voice from being cut and the frequency bands other than the human voice from being boosted. This makes it easier for users to hear the program even while news or talk is being broadcast.

[0044] In another embodiment, the acoustic parameter 144 may be applied to the audio signal to improve the intelligibility of human voices during news, talk, and the like. In this case, the user can hear the news, talks, and the like more easily.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a process executed by the MPU 100 of the broadcast receiving device 1 in one embodiment of the Present Disclosure. For example, when the broadcast receiving device 1 starts receiving an ensemble, the process depicted in FIG. 2 is executed. When reception of the ensemble is stopped, execution of the process depicted in FIG. 2 ends.

[0046] Note that the order of the steps in the flowcharts illustrated in the present embodiment may be changed as long as there is no inconsistency. For example, the Present Disclosure presents the process of various steps using an example order, but this is not limited to the order presented. Furthermore, the steps of the flowcharts shown in the present embodiment may be in parallel or in may be executed in parallel as long as there is no contradiction.

[0047] The MPU 100 applies the initial settings (step S101). Specifically, the MPU 100 cancels the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal. In other words, the MPU 100 resets the acoustic parameter 144 to a setting that does not apply to the audio signal.

[0048] In step S101, the default acoustic parameter 144 may be set and applied to the audio signal. The default acoustic parameter 144 is, for example, an equalizer setting that make human voices easier to hear. The default acoustic parameter 144 is an example of a second parameter. The other acoustic parameter 144 (for example, the acoustic parameter 144 corresponding to the genre of the song) is an example of a first parameter that is different from a second parameter.

[0049] It should be noted that, as used in the Present Disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first", "second", or the like does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations are used for convenience to distinguish between two or more elements. Thus, reference to a first and second element does not imply, for example, that only two elements are employed, that the first element must precede the second element, or the like.

[0050] The MPU 100 determines whether or not DL information (in other words, DL message and DL plus) has been received (step S102). The MPU 100 repeats this determination process until the MPU receives a DL message and a DL Plus.

[0051] When the MPU 100 receives a DL message and a DL plus (step S102: YES), the MPU 100 determines whether the contents of the DL message and the DL plus are different from those received previously (step S103). The MPU 100 checks the content type of the DL Plus tag, for example, to determine whether the contents of the DL message and the DL Plus are different from those of the previous time they were received.

[0052] If the contents of the DL message and DL plus are different from those previously received (step S103: YES), the MPU 100 proceeds to step S104. If the contents of the DL message and DL plus are the same as those received previously (step S103: NO), the MPU 100 returns to step S102. Immediately after the broadcast receiving device 1 is started up, the determination in step S103 is set to NO.

[0053] Here, an Item toggle bit and an Item running bit will be described with reference to FIG. 3. DL Plus provides notification for the Item toggle bit and the Item running bit. FIG. 3 is a time sequence diagram depicting the relationship between the broadcast contents, the Item toggle bit, and the Item running bit. In FIG. 3, three examples (examples A to C) of time sequence diagrams are depicted.

[0054] The Item toggle bit is a flag that indicates the timing at which the program item being broadcast changes. The value of the item toggle bit changes when a program item different from the previous (prior) program item is broadcast. The Item running bit is a flag that indicates that a program item is being executed. The Item running bit is set to the value 1 while the program item is being executed. The Item running bit is set to the value 0 when the program item is not being executed. For example, in the case of a music program, songs are set as program items.

[0055] In the Example A of FIG. 3, songs a and b are played in that order within the program. In Example A of FIG. 3, at timing T11 when song a is played, the Item toggle bit switches (changes from value 1 to value 0) and the Item running bit switches from value 0 to value 1. At timing T12 when song a changes to song b, the Item toggle bit switches (changes from value 0 to value 1). On the other hand, since the program item of playing a song is being continued, the Item running bit does not change.

[0056] In Example B of FIG. 3, news is broadcast between songs a and b. In Example B of FIG. 3, the Item toggle bit is switched (changed from value 1 to value 0) and the Item running bit is switched from value 0 to value 1 at timing T21 when song a is played. At timing T22 when the music piece a is changed to the news, a program item different from the previous time is not executed (no music is played), so the Item toggle bit does not change. On the other hand, since an item different from the program item is being executed (here, news is being broadcast), the Item running bit switches from value 1 to value 0. At timing T23 when the news changes to song b, song b different from the previous song (song a) is played, so the Item toggle bit switches (from value 0 to value 1) and the Item running bit switches from value 0 to value 1.

[0057] In Example C of FIG. 3, song a is temporarily interrupted and talk is played. In Example C of FIG. 3, the Item toggle bit is switched (changed from value 1 to value 0), and the Item running bit is switched from value 0 to value 1 at timing T31 when song a is played. At timing T32 when the song a changes to talk, the song being played is not different from the previous song, so the Item toggle bit does not change. On the other hand, since an item other than the program item is executed (here, talk is being played), the Item running bit switches from value 1 to value 0. At timing T33 when the talk returns to song a, the song returns to the same song a as the previous song (song a), so the Item toggle bit does not change. On the other hand, since a song that is a program item is being played, the Item running bit changes from value 0 to value 1.

[0058] In this manner, the Item toggle bit included in DL Plus, which is an example of meta information, is an example of an identifier indicating that the genre of the music played within the program will change. Furthermore, the Item running bit included in DL Plus, which is an example of meta information, is an example of an identifier that indicates a period during which music is played (an example of a first period) and a period during which music is not played (an example of a second period) within a DAB service (an example of a program broadcast by a digital broadcast signal).

[0059] A change in the value of the Item toggle bit is essentially equivalent to a change in the program item (song). Due to the nature of radio music programming, it is rare for the exact same song to be played repeatedly. Therefore, it is generally considered that when the DL message and DL Plus change, there is a high possibility that the ITEM.GENRE of the content type will also change.

[0060] However, the Item toggle bit and the contents (contents type) of the DL message and DL Plus are not necessarily synchronized due to a time lag of the broadcast signal broadcast by the broadcast station. Therefore, there is a possibility that the content type at the time when the Item toggle bit value is changed may not match the program item (song) after the change.

[0061] Therefore, the MPU 100 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S102 to S103 until the content of the DL message and DL plus change from the previous content received. This allows the MPU 100 to reliably determine the content type that matches the program item (song) after the change.

[0062] In step S104, the MPU 100 analyzes the content type of the DL Plus tag to determine whether or not ITEM.GENRE has been received. If ITEM.GENRE has not been received (step S104: NO), the MPU 100 returns to step S102.

[0063] If ITEM.GENRE is received (step S104: YES), the MPU 100 selects the acoustic parameter 144 stored in the storage 140 that corresponds to this ITEM.GENRE (in other words, the genre of the song) and applies the parameter to the audio signal (step S105). As a result, the song being broadcast is adjusted to, for example, an appropriate sound quality and sound field based on the acoustic parameter 144 corresponding to the genre indicated by ITEM.GENRE, and is then played back through the speaker.

[0064] In this manner, when the value of the Item toggle bit, which is an example of an identifier, switches, the MPU 100 detects that the genre of the song played in the program has changed, and when the MPU further detects that the content of the content type, which includes genre information, has changed, the MPU detects the genre of the song after the change, obtains the acoustic parameter 144 corresponding to the detected genre from among the acoustic parameters 144 (an example of a plurality of first parameter prepared in advance for each type of song) in the storage 140, and applies the obtained acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal.

[0065] For example, at timing T12 in Example A of FIG. 3, the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal is switched from the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for song a to the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for song b. When the song is changed even within the same program, the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal is also changed according to the song after the change. Therefore, the user can continue to listen to the music that has been adjusted to an appropriate sound quality, sound field, and the like.

[0066] The MPU 100 determines whether the Item running bit notified by DL Plus is a value of 1 or not (step S106). If the Item running bit is set to a value of 0 (step S106: NO), a song other than the program item is played. Therefore, the MPU 100 applies the initial settings (step S107). In other words, the MPU 100 resets the acoustic parameter 144 to a setting that does not apply the acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal (or applies the default acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal).

[0067] For example, at timing T22 in Example B and timing T32 in Example C of FIG. 3, the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal is canceled. Therefore, news, talks, and the like are reproduced with a sound quality that is easy for users to hear.

[0068] If the value of the Item toggle bit has not been changed (step S110: YES) and the DAB service has not been changed by a user operation or the like (step S111: YES), the MPU 100 returns to the process of step S106. If the value of the Item toggle bit has been switched (step S110: NO) or if the DAB service has been changed (step S111: NO), the MPU 100 returns to the process of step S101.

[0069] If the Item running bit has a value of 1 (step S106: YES), a song that is a program item is played. Then, the MPU 100 determines whether the acoustic parameter 144 are set to the initial settings (step S108). In other words, the MPU 100 determines whether or not the acoustic parameter 144 has not been applied to the audio signal (or whether or not the default acoustic parameter 144 has been applied to the audio signal).

[0070] If the acoustic parameter 144 is not the initial settings (step S108: NO), the acoustic parameter 144 corresponding to the received ITEM.GENRE is applied to the audio signal. If there is no change in the value of the Item toggle bit and no change in the DAB service (step S110: YES, step S111: YES) and the Item running bit remains at value 1 (step S106: YES), the MPU 100 continues to apply this acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal.

[0071] On the other hand, if the acoustic parameter 144 is the initial setting (step S108: YES), the MPU 100 applies the acoustic parameter 144 corresponding to the received ITEM.GENRE to the audio signal (step S109).

[0072] For example, at time T23 in Example B of FIG. 3, the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for song b is applied to the audio signal. For example, at timing T33 in Example C of FIG. 3, the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for song a is applied to the audio signal.

[0073] In this manner, the MPU 100 operating as an application part determines whether or not a song is playing in the program (whether the first period or the second period) based on the Item Running Bit included in the DL Plus, which is an example of meta information. The MPU 100 applies the acoustic parameter 144 (an example of a first parameter) suitable for the genre of the song to the audio signal during the period when the song is played in the program (in other words, during the first period). The MPU 100 does not apply the first parameter to the audio signal during the period when no music is played in the program (in other words, during the second period). Specifically, the MPU 100 does not apply the acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal, or applies the default acoustic parameter 144 (an example of a second parameter) to the audio signal.

[0074] According to the Present Embodiment, difficulty of the user hearing the news, talk, and the like can be suppressed. At the same time, the acoustic parameter 144 appropriate to the genre of each song played within the program can be applied to the audio signal.

[0075] The description provided thus far is a description of exemplary embodiments of the Present Disclosure. The embodiments of the Present Disclosure are not limited to those described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the Present Disclosure. For example, appropriate combinations of embodiments and the like that are explicitly indicated by way of example in the specification or obvious embodiments and the like are also included in the embodiments of the present application.

[0076] In the Present Embodiment, a DAB ensemble is given as an example of a digital broadcast signal to be processed, but in another embodiment, a digital broadcast signal in a format other than DAB that complies with a standard different from DAB may be processed. For example, in the Present Embodiment, programs have been described as services in DAB, but in the case of digital broadcast signals in a format other than DAB that conform to a different standard, a broadcast group equivalent to a service in DAB is treated as a program. Similarly, the identifier can be considered to be replaced with information defined in a digital broadcast signal of a different format.DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0077] 1. Broadcast receiving device 100. MPU 120. DAB signal processing circuit 142. Broadcast receiving program 144. Acoustic parameter

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0009]The following description relates to a digital broadcast receiving device and a digital broadcast receiving program according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. Common or corresponding elements are marked with the same or similar reference codes, and duplicate descriptions are simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0010]In one embodiment of the Present Disclosure, a broadcast receiving device and a broadcast receiving method capable of receiving a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) ensemble will be described as an example.

[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcast receiving device 1 according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. The broadcast receiving device 1 is an example of a digital broadcast receiving device. As depicted in FIG. 1, the broadcast receiving device 1 includes an MPU 100, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 110, a DAB signal processing circuit 120, an audio amplifier 130, storage 140, and a display 150. FIG. 1 depic...

[FIELD OF THE INVENTION]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a digital broadcast receiving device and a digital broadcast receiving program.[BACKGROUND ART]

[0002] Digital broadcast receiving devices capable of receiving digital broadcast signals are well known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a specific configuration of a digital broadcast receiving device. The digital broadcast receiving device described in Patent Document 1 identifies the type of program from program genre information contained in the received digital broadcast signal, and sets the sound quality according to the result. For example, in the case of a music program that plays pop music, the digital broadcast receiving device controls the sound quality of the program using a parameter suitable for pop music.[PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS] [PATENT DOCUMENTS]

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application 2006-101391[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION] [PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION]

[0004] In the digital broadcast receiving device described in Patent Document 1, the same parameter is uniformly applied throughout the broadcast of a music program. However, some music programs, for example, play a variety of music genres and include talk between songs. Therefore, depending on the broadcast content, the parameters may not match, making it difficult for the user to hear.

[0005] In light of that described above, an object of the embodiments of the Present Disclosure is to provide a digital broadcast receiving device and a digital broadcast receiving program capable of applying an appropriate parameter to each audio signal currently being broadcast.[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM]

[0006] A digital broadcasting receiving device according to one embodiment of the Present Disclosure includes a receiving part capable of receiving a digital broadcasting signal of multiplexed meta information and an audio signal, and an application part capable of applying an acoustic adjustment parameter to the received audio signal. In a program broadcast by a digital broadcast signal, there is a first period during which a song is played and a second period during which a song is not played. The application part determines whether the program is for a first period or a second period based on the meta information, applies the first parameter to the audio signal during the first period, and does not apply the first parameter to the audio signal during the second period.EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure, a digital broadcast receiving device and a digital broadcast receiving program are provided that are capable of applying an appropriate parameter to each audio signal currently being broadcast.[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a configuration of a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a process executed by a microprocessor unit (MPU) of the broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. FIG. 3 is a time sequence diagram depicting an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. [EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION]

[0009] The following description relates to a digital broadcast receiving device and a digital broadcast receiving program according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. Common or corresponding elements are marked with the same or similar reference codes, and duplicate descriptions are simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0010] In one embodiment of the Present Disclosure, a broadcast receiving device and a broadcast receiving method capable of receiving a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) ensemble will be described as an example.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcast receiving device 1 according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. The broadcast receiving device 1 is an example of a digital broadcast receiving device. As depicted in FIG. 1, the broadcast receiving device 1 includes an MPU 100, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 110, a DAB signal processing circuit 120, an audio amplifier 130, storage 140, and a display 150. FIG. 1 depicts a main structural element necessary for explaining the Present Embodiment. In FIG. 1, structural element(s), such as a case and the like, that are essential structural elements of the broadcast receiving device 1, are omitted as appropriate.

[0012] The broadcast receiving device 1 is, for example, an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle traveling on a road. The broadcast receiving apparatus 1 may be an independent apparatus or may be an apparatus forming a part of a navigation apparatus or In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI). The broadcast receiving device 1 is not limited to an in-vehicle device. The broadcast receiving device 1 may be another type of device, such as a smartphone, a feature phone, a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a PND (Portable Navigation Device), a portable game console, an AV (Audio Visual) unit, or the like.

[0013] The MPU 100 is, for example, a single processor or a multi-processor, and includes at least one processor. When a configuration including a plurality of processors is used, the MPU 100 may be packaged as a single device, or may be configured as a plurality of devices that are physically separated within the broadcast receiving device 1. The MPU 100 may be called, for example, a control unit, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processor unit (MPU), or a micro controller unit (MCU).

[0014] The MPU 100 includes a built-in DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that processes audio signals, for example. In other words, the processing of the audio signal is performed using a DSP. The MPU 100 is an example of an application part capable of applying the acoustic parameter 144 (described below) to an audio signal.

[0015] The processing of the audio signal may be executed on software assembled into the MPU 100 without using a DSP. The DSP may not be built into the MPU 100 but may be provided separately from the MPU 100.

[0016] The MPU 100 includes RAM (Random Access Memory), flash ROM (Read-Only Memory), and the like, and controls the entire broadcast receiving device 1. For example, the MPU 100 loads various programs, including a broadcast receiving program 142 stored in the storage 140, onto RAM, which is a work area, and controls the broadcast receiving device 1 in accordance with the loaded programs. In other words, the broadcast receiving device 1 equipped with the MPU 100 is an example of a computer that executes the broadcast receiving program 142.

[0017] The HMI 110 may presumably be any of various user interfaces of hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the HMI 110 may be a mechanical switch key mounted on the front panel of the main body of the broadcast receiving device 1, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) provided in a touch panel environment, a remote controller, or the like. By operating the HMI 110, the user can, for example, specify a receiving station or instruct the broadcast receiving device 1 to create or update a station list.

[0018] For example, when the user performs a channel selection operation on the HMI 110, information on a selected channel designated by the channel selection operation is stored in the flash ROM in the MPU 100. For example, immediately after the broadcast receiving device 1 is powered on or when a user selects a station, the MPU 100 controls the station selection operation of the DAB signal processing circuit 120 in accordance with the selected station information stored in the flash ROM.

[0019] The DAB signal processing circuit 120 is a tuner circuit that performs ensemble reception processing. The DAB signal processing circuit 120 is an example of a receiving part capable of receiving an ensemble (an example of a digital broadcast signal in which meta information and an audio signal are multiplexed). The DAB signal processing circuit 120 includes an antenna 122, an RF part 124, a demodulation part 126, and a signal detection part 128.

[0020] The antenna 122 receives broadcast radio waves from each broadcast station and outputs the received signal. The RF part 124 extracts the ensemble of the selected station from the received signal input from the antenna 122, and outputs the signal to the demodulation part 126.

[0021] The ensemble is generally composed of a synchronization channel used for frame synchronization during demodulation, a Fast Information Channel (FIC) containing service configuration information, and a Main Service Channel (MSC) containing audio services and data services.

[0022] The FIC is composed of FIBs (Fast Information Blocks) and includes identifiers such as SIDs (Service Identifiers), EIDs (Ensemble Identifiers), and SCIdS (Service Component Identifiers within the Service) as well as label data associated with the identifiers (in other words, a service label indicating the radio broadcast service name (radio broadcast program name)). The FIB includes a Fast Information Group (FIG) and a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC). The FIG is classified into eight types of Type 0 to Type 7 according to the use. For example, the FIG includes hard link service information, FI (Frequency Information), OE service (Other Ensemble Services) information, and SL (Service Link) information.

[0023] The demodulation part 126 demodulates the ensemble input from the RF section 124, and selects and demodulates a service (in other words, a program) from the demodulated ensemble. This provides the audio signal and meta information of the services multiplexed into the ensemble. The meta information includes text information such as a service label, as well as a DL (Dynamic Label) message, which will be described below.

[0024] The signal detector part 128 detects, for example, the multiplexed data obtained by demodulating the ensemble in the demodulation part 126, and also detects the received signal quality of the ensemble based on an error rate. The signal detection unit 128 may detect the quality of the received signals of the ensemble based on, for example, the field strength of the received radio waves or the signal-to-noise ratio of the received radio waves.

[0025] The audio signal obtained by the demodulation process by the demodulation part 126 undergoes gain adjustment according to the volume by the audio amplifier 130, and is output through a line-out terminal. For example, a plurality of line-out terminals may be provided. The line-out terminals are connected to the front, center, front and rear speakers in the vehicle. The program (music, talk, and the like) is played through the car speaker connected to the line-out terminal. The speaker may be provided in the broadcast receiving device 1.

[0026] The number of DAB signal processing circuits 120 is not limited to one. The broadcast receiving device 1 may include two or more DAB signal processing circuits 120. When there are two or more DAB signal processing circuits 120, the broadcast receiving device 1 can receive ensembles based on a diversity method, for example. Furthermore, the broadcast receiving device 1 can, for example, receive an ensemble and execute the station list at the same time.

[0027] The display data obtained by the demodulation process performed by the demodulation part 126 is output to the display 150. This causes, for example, the service label of the service being played back to be displayed on the display 150. The display 150 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic Electro Luminescence (EL) display.

[0028] The storage 140 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), or an Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), or a Solid-State Drive (SSD). The storage 140 stores a broadcast receiving program 142 as well as various other programs and data. For example, the storage 140 stores a plurality of acoustic parameters 144.

[0029] The acoustic parameter 144 is an example of a parameter for acoustic adjustment. The acoustic parameter 144 is, for example, equalizer settings and settings for various effects such as reverb, chorus, and delay. Each of the plurality of acoustic parameters 144 has a value suitable for the type (for example, genre) of the corresponding song. For example, a certain acoustic parameter 144 is set to a value suitable for pop music (in other words, a value corresponding to pop music). Another acoustic parameter 144 is set to a value suitable for jazz (in other words, a value corresponding to jazz).

[0030] The acoustic parameter 144 is stored in advance in the storage 140 when the broadcast receiving device 1 is manufactured, for example. The values of the acoustic parameter 144 may be adjusted by a user operation. The user may operate the HMI 10 to create the acoustic parameter 144. The broadcast receiving device 1 may, for example, periodically communicate with the cloud via a communication interface (not depicted) to update or add an acoustic parameter 144.

[0031] The acoustic parameter 144 is not limited to values suitable for the genre of the song. The acoustic parameter 144 may be set to values appropriate for other categories. For example, the acoustic parameter 144 may be set to values suitable for reproducing the sound quality, reverberation, surround sound, and the like of movies, dramas, animation, sports, news, talks, indoor live venues, outdoor live venues, opera houses, and the like.

[0032] In the ensemble, DL messages and DL Plus are broadcast repeatedly. The DL message is a 128-byte character string. DL Plus includes a DL Plus tag.

[0033] The demodulation part 126 applies a DL Plus tag to the DL message to generate a DL Plus object. Below is an example of a DL message and a DL plus tag. In this example, DL Plus includes two DL Plus tags (DL Plus Tag 1, DL Plus Tag 2).«DL Message»

[0034] You are listening to "A BBBB CCCCCC DDDD" by "XXX YYYYYYYYY" «DL Plus Tag 1» Content Type: Title Start marker: 22 Length marker: 17 «DL Plus Tag 2» Content Type: Artist Start marker: 45 Length marker: 12

[0035] The start marker and length marker of the DL plus tag indicate the start point and the length of the character string, respectively. The demodulation part 126 extracts a 17-character string from the DL message, beginning at the position (the 22nd character) specified by the Start marker in the DL plus tag 1. Specifically, demodulation part 126 extracts A BBBB CCCCCC DDDD. Similarly, the demodulation part 126 extracts a 12-character string from the DL message, beginning at the position (45th character) specified by the start marker in the DL plus tag 2. Specifically, the demodulation part 126 extracts XXX YYYYYYYYY. For convenience, A BBBB CCCCCC DDDD will be referred to as extracted text 1. XXX YYYYYYYY is will be referred to as extracted text 2.

[0036] The content type of the DL Plus tag is defined in Annex A (List of DL Plus content types) of the DL Plus broadcasting standard "ETSI TS 102 980 V2.1.2 (2019-02)". As shown in Annex A, the content type of the DL Plus tag corresponds to the CONTENTTYPE of a MP3 ID3v2 tag.

[0037] The demodulation part 126 generates a DL-plus object 1 by applying the DL-plus tag 1 to the DL message. The DL Plus object 1 defines the extracted text 1 as attribute information of the title. The demodulation part 126 generates a DL-plus object 2 by applying the DL-plus tag 2 to the DL message. The DL Plus object 2 defines the extracted text 2 as the attribute information of the artist.

[0038] Various information is displayed on the display 150 using the DL Plus object. For example, extracted text 1 is displayed on the display 150 as the title of a song played in the program. The extracted text 2 is displayed on the display 150 as the name of the artist who sings this song.

[0039] In Annex A, content type includes ITEM.GENRE. ITEM.GENRE indicates the genre of the song identified in the DL message and by DL Plus. The demodulation part 126 can generate a DL plus object in the same manner as in the above example. This DL Plus object defines the genre name included in the DL message as attribute information of the music genre.

[0040] The DL message and DL plus are examples of meta information that includes song type information (for example, genre). The genre of songs identified in DL Messages and DL Plus will change in real time to match the songs being played on the program. In the Present Embodiment, the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal is switched as needed to acoustic parameter 144 suitable for the genre of the song being broadcast, based on the genre of the song identified in the DL message and by DL Plus.

[0041] For example, while a pop song is playing, the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for pop is applied to the audio signal. The audio signal is adjusted to a quality suitable for pop music and is reproduced through a speaker. If jazz music is played next, the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal is switched to the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for jazz. The audio signal is adjusted to a quality suitable for jazz and is reproduced through a speaker. In this manner, even if the genre of music played within a program changes, music of each genre is played with sound quality adjusted by the appropriate acoustic parameter 144. The user can listen to the music with the sound quality adjusted appropriately.

[0042] Depending on the program, news or talk may be broadcast between songs. When the acoustic parameter 144 appropriate for the genre of music is continuously applied to the audio signal while the news or talk is being played, the frequency band of human voice is cut and the frequency bands other than human voice are boosted depending on the setting value of the acoustic parameter 144. As a result, it may become difficult for the user to hear the program.

[0043] Therefore, in the Present Embodiment, application of the acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal is suspended while something other than music, such as news or talk, is being played. This prevents the frequency band of the human voice from being cut and the frequency bands other than the human voice from being boosted. This makes it easier for users to hear the program even while news or talk is being broadcast.

[0044] In another embodiment, the acoustic parameter 144 may be applied to the audio signal to improve the intelligibility of human voices during news, talk, and the like. In this case, the user can hear the news, talks, and the like more easily.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a process executed by the MPU 100 of the broadcast receiving device 1 in one embodiment of the Present Disclosure. For example, when the broadcast receiving device 1 starts receiving an ensemble, the process depicted in FIG. 2 is executed. When reception of the ensemble is stopped, execution of the process depicted in FIG. 2 ends.

[0046] Note that the order of the steps in the flowcharts illustrated in the present embodiment may be changed as long as there is no inconsistency. For example, the Present Disclosure presents the process of various steps using an example order, but this is not limited to the order presented. Furthermore, the steps of the flowcharts shown in the present embodiment may be in parallel or in may be executed in parallel as long as there is no contradiction.

[0047] The MPU 100 applies the initial settings (step S101). Specifically, the MPU 100 cancels the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal. In other words, the MPU 100 resets the acoustic parameter 144 to a setting that does not apply to the audio signal.

[0048] In step S101, the default acoustic parameter 144 may be set and applied to the audio signal. The default acoustic parameter 144 is, for example, an equalizer setting that make human voices easier to hear. The default acoustic parameter 144 is an example of a second parameter. The other acoustic parameter 144 (for example, the acoustic parameter 144 corresponding to the genre of the song) is an example of a first parameter that is different from a second parameter.

[0049] It should be noted that, as used in the Present Disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first", "second", or the like does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations are used for convenience to distinguish between two or more elements. Thus, reference to a first and second element does not imply, for example, that only two elements are employed, that the first element must precede the second element, or the like.

[0050] The MPU 100 determines whether or not DL information (in other words, DL message and DL plus) has been received (step S102). The MPU 100 repeats this determination process until the MPU receives a DL message and a DL Plus.

[0051] When the MPU 100 receives a DL message and a DL plus (step S102: YES), the MPU 100 determines whether the contents of the DL message and the DL plus are different from those received previously (step S103). The MPU 100 checks the content type of the DL Plus tag, for example, to determine whether the contents of the DL message and the DL Plus are different from those of the previous time they were received.

[0052] If the contents of the DL message and DL plus are different from those previously received (step S103: YES), the MPU 100 proceeds to step S104. If the contents of the DL message and DL plus are the same as those received previously (step S103: NO), the MPU 100 returns to step S102. Immediately after the broadcast receiving device 1 is started up, the determination in step S103 is set to NO.

[0053] Here, an Item toggle bit and an Item running bit will be described with reference to FIG. 3. DL Plus provides notification for the Item toggle bit and the Item running bit. FIG. 3 is a time sequence diagram depicting the relationship between the broadcast contents, the Item toggle bit, and the Item running bit. In FIG. 3, three examples (examples A to C) of time sequence diagrams are depicted.

[0054] The Item toggle bit is a flag that indicates the timing at which the program item being broadcast changes. The value of the item toggle bit changes when a program item different from the previous (prior) program item is broadcast. The Item running bit is a flag that indicates that a program item is being executed. The Item running bit is set to the value 1 while the program item is being executed. The Item running bit is set to the value 0 when the program item is not being executed. For example, in the case of a music program, songs are set as program items.

[0055] In the Example A of FIG. 3, songs a and b are played in that order within the program. In Example A of FIG. 3, at timing T11 when song a is played, the Item toggle bit switches (changes from value 1 to value 0) and the Item running bit switches from value 0 to value 1. At timing T12 when song a changes to song b, the Item toggle bit switches (changes from value 0 to value 1). On the other hand, since the program item of playing a song is being continued, the Item running bit does not change.

[0056] In Example B of FIG. 3, news is broadcast between songs a and b. In Example B of FIG. 3, the Item toggle bit is switched (changed from value 1 to value 0) and the Item running bit is switched from value 0 to value 1 at timing T21 when song a is played. At timing T22 when the music piece a is changed to the news, a program item different from the previous time is not executed (no music is played), so the Item toggle bit does not change. On the other hand, since an item different from the program item is being executed (here, news is being broadcast), the Item running bit switches from value 1 to value 0. At timing T23 when the news changes to song b, song b different from the previous song (song a) is played, so the Item toggle bit switches (from value 0 to value 1) and the Item running bit switches from value 0 to value 1.

[0057] In Example C of FIG. 3, song a is temporarily interrupted and talk is played. In Example C of FIG. 3, the Item toggle bit is switched (changed from value 1 to value 0), and the Item running bit is switched from value 0 to value 1 at timing T31 when song a is played. At timing T32 when the song a changes to talk, the song being played is not different from the previous song, so the Item toggle bit does not change. On the other hand, since an item other than the program item is executed (here, talk is being played), the Item running bit switches from value 1 to value 0. At timing T33 when the talk returns to song a, the song returns to the same song a as the previous song (song a), so the Item toggle bit does not change. On the other hand, since a song that is a program item is being played, the Item running bit changes from value 0 to value 1.

[0058] In this manner, the Item toggle bit included in DL Plus, which is an example of meta information, is an example of an identifier indicating that the genre of the music played within the program will change. Furthermore, the Item running bit included in DL Plus, which is an example of meta information, is an example of an identifier that indicates a period during which music is played (an example of a first period) and a period during which music is not played (an example of a second period) within a DAB service (an example of a program broadcast by a digital broadcast signal).

[0059] A change in the value of the Item toggle bit is essentially equivalent to a change in the program item (song). Due to the nature of radio music programming, it is rare for the exact same song to be played repeatedly. Therefore, it is generally considered that when the DL message and DL Plus change, there is a high possibility that the ITEM.GENRE of the content type will also change.

[0060] However, the Item toggle bit and the contents (contents type) of the DL message and DL Plus are not necessarily synchronized due to a time lag of the broadcast signal broadcast by the broadcast station. Therefore, there is a possibility that the content type at the time when the Item toggle bit value is changed may not match the program item (song) after the change.

[0061] Therefore, the MPU 100 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S102 to S103 until the content of the DL message and DL plus change from the previous content received. This allows the MPU 100 to reliably determine the content type that matches the program item (song) after the change.

[0062] In step S104, the MPU 100 analyzes the content type of the DL Plus tag to determine whether or not ITEM.GENRE has been received. If ITEM.GENRE has not been received (step S104: NO), the MPU 100 returns to step S102.

[0063] If ITEM.GENRE is received (step S104: YES), the MPU 100 selects the acoustic parameter 144 stored in the storage 140 that corresponds to this ITEM.GENRE (in other words, the genre of the song) and applies the parameter to the audio signal (step S105). As a result, the song being broadcast is adjusted to, for example, an appropriate sound quality and sound field based on the acoustic parameter 144 corresponding to the genre indicated by ITEM.GENRE, and is then played back through the speaker.

[0064] In this manner, when the value of the Item toggle bit, which is an example of an identifier, switches, the MPU 100 detects that the genre of the song played in the program has changed, and when the MPU further detects that the content of the content type, which includes genre information, has changed, the MPU detects the genre of the song after the change, obtains the acoustic parameter 144 corresponding to the detected genre from among the acoustic parameters 144 (an example of a plurality of first parameter prepared in advance for each type of song) in the storage 140, and applies the obtained acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal.

[0065] For example, at timing T12 in Example A of FIG. 3, the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal is switched from the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for song a to the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for song b. When the song is changed even within the same program, the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal is also changed according to the song after the change. Therefore, the user can continue to listen to the music that has been adjusted to an appropriate sound quality, sound field, and the like.

[0066] The MPU 100 determines whether the Item running bit notified by DL Plus is a value of 1 or not (step S106). If the Item running bit is set to a value of 0 (step S106: NO), a song other than the program item is played. Therefore, the MPU 100 applies the initial settings (step S107). In other words, the MPU 100 resets the acoustic parameter 144 to a setting that does not apply the acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal (or applies the default acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal).

[0067] For example, at timing T22 in Example B and timing T32 in Example C of FIG. 3, the acoustic parameter 144 applied to the audio signal is canceled. Therefore, news, talks, and the like are reproduced with a sound quality that is easy for users to hear.

[0068] If the value of the Item toggle bit has not been changed (step S110: YES) and the DAB service has not been changed by a user operation or the like (step S111: YES), the MPU 100 returns to the process of step S106. If the value of the Item toggle bit has been switched (step S110: NO) or if the DAB service has been changed (step S111: NO), the MPU 100 returns to the process of step S101.

[0069] If the Item running bit has a value of 1 (step S106: YES), a song that is a program item is played. Then, the MPU 100 determines whether the acoustic parameter 144 are set to the initial settings (step S108). In other words, the MPU 100 determines whether or not the acoustic parameter 144 has not been applied to the audio signal (or whether or not the default acoustic parameter 144 has been applied to the audio signal).

[0070] If the acoustic parameter 144 is not the initial settings (step S108: NO), the acoustic parameter 144 corresponding to the received ITEM.GENRE is applied to the audio signal. If there is no change in the value of the Item toggle bit and no change in the DAB service (step S110: YES, step S111: YES) and the Item running bit remains at value 1 (step S106: YES), the MPU 100 continues to apply this acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal.

[0071] On the other hand, if the acoustic parameter 144 is the initial setting (step S108: YES), the MPU 100 applies the acoustic parameter 144 corresponding to the received ITEM.GENRE to the audio signal (step S109).

[0072] For example, at time T23 in Example B of FIG. 3, the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for song b is applied to the audio signal. For example, at timing T33 in Example C of FIG. 3, the acoustic parameter 144 suitable for song a is applied to the audio signal.

[0073] In this manner, the MPU 100 operating as an application part determines whether or not a song is playing in the program (whether the first period or the second period) based on the Item Running Bit included in the DL Plus, which is an example of meta information. The MPU 100 applies the acoustic parameter 144 (an example of a first parameter) suitable for the genre of the song to the audio signal during the period when the song is played in the program (in other words, during the first period). The MPU 100 does not apply the first parameter to the audio signal during the period when no music is played in the program (in other words, during the second period). Specifically, the MPU 100 does not apply the acoustic parameter 144 to the audio signal, or applies the default acoustic parameter 144 (an example of a second parameter) to the audio signal.

[0074] According to the Present Embodiment, difficulty of the user hearing the news, talk, and the like can be suppressed. At the same time, the acoustic parameter 144 appropriate to the genre of each song played within the program can be applied to the audio signal.

[0075] The description provided thus far is a description of exemplary embodiments of the Present Disclosure. The embodiments of the Present Disclosure are not limited to those described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the Present Disclosure. For example, appropriate combinations of embodiments and the like that are explicitly indicated by way of example in the specification or obvious embodiments and the like are also included in the embodiments of the present application.

[0076] In the Present Embodiment, a DAB ensemble is given as an example of a digital broadcast signal to be processed, but in another embodiment, a digital broadcast signal in a format other than DAB that complies with a standard different from DAB may be processed. For example, in the Present Embodiment, programs have been described as services in DAB, but in the case of digital broadcast signals in a format other than DAB that conform to a different standard, a broadcast group equivalent to a service in DAB is treated as a program. Similarly, the identifier can be considered to be replaced with information defined in a digital broadcast signal of a different format.DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0077] 1. Broadcast receiving device 100. MPU 120. DAB signal processing circuit 142. Broadcast receiving program 144. Acoustic parameter

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0009]The following description relates to a digital broadcast receiving device and a digital broadcast receiving program according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. Common or corresponding elements are marked with the same or similar reference codes, and duplicate descriptions are simplified or omitted as appropriate.

[0010]In one embodiment of the Present Disclosure, a broadcast receiving device and a broadcast receiving method capable of receiving a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) ensemble will be described as an example.

[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcast receiving device 1 according to an embodiment of the Present Disclosure. The broadcast receiving device 1 is an example of a digital broadcast receiving device. As depicted in FIG. 1, the broadcast receiving device 1 includes an MPU 100, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 110, a DAB signal processing circuit 120, an audio amplifier 130, storage 140, and a display 150. FIG. 1 depic...

Claims

1. A digital broadcast receiving device, comprising: a receiving part capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal of multiplexed meta information and an audio signal; and an application part capable of applying an acoustic adjustment parameter to the received audio signal, wherein a program broadcast by the digital broadcast signal includes a first period during which a song is played and a second period during which a song is not played, and the application part: determines whether the program is in the first period or the second period based on the meta information; applies a first parameter of said parameter to said audio signal during the first period; and does not apply the first parameter to the audio signal during the second period.

2. The digital broadcast receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the meta information includes song type information, the first parameter is for each type of song, and the application part: detects the type of music played in the program based on the meta information; acquires the first parameter corresponding to the detected type of music from among a plurality of first parameters previously prepared for each type of music; and applies the obtained first parameter to the audio signal.

3. The digital broadcast receiving device according to claim 2, wherein the meta information includes an identifier; the application part detects that a type of song played in the program changes when the value of the identifier is changed; and upon detection of the identifier having been switched and that the content of the type information has changed, the application part detects the type of the song after the change.

4. The digital broadcast receiving device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the application part applies the first parameter and a second parameter of said parameter to the audio signal.

5. A digital broadcast receiving program that causes a computer to execute a process of receiving a digital broadcast signal of multiplexed meta information and an audio signal, and applying an acoustic adjustment parameter to the received audio signal, wherein the computer: determines whether the program broadcast by the digital broadcast signal is in a first period during which a song is played or in a second period during which a song is not played, based on the meta information; applies a first parameter of said parameter to said audio signal during the first period; and does not apply the first parameter to the audio signal during the second period.

6. A method for receiving a digital broadcast signal of multiplexed meta information and an audio signal, and applying an acoustic adjustment parameter to the received audio signal, the method comprising: determining whether the program broadcast by the digital broadcast signal is in a first period during which a song is played or in a second period during which a song is not played, based on the meta information; applying a first parameter of said parameter to said audio signal during the first period; not applying the first parameter to the audio signal during the second period.

Images